Does my BMW have a N47 or other timing belt issue engine?

[hellobmw777]

Hi, Sorry, in advance if my question is just dumb.

But, I have a 2006 BMW 525da Touring. Diesel (maybe that's what the d stands for) -- it says manufactured in August 2007.

It keeps stuttering on the highway. It will die once in a while. Then start again, then run for weeks. Then repeat. Now it's dead in the driveway. I would bet it will start in the morning.

When I first bought it, I heard a weird noise. Like I was being followed by someone whining -- but it went away.

I can't figure out if I have a N47 engine, and it's a timing belt issue? Or maybe a DPF issue? or....

Ultimate Specs website tells me:
https://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/BMW/49027/...
Engine type - Number of cylinders : I 6
Engine Code : -
Fuel type :
Diesel
Fuel System : Direct Injection.
Engine Alignment : Longitudinal
Engine Position : Front
Engine size - Displacement - Engine capacity : 2993 cm3 or 182.6 cu-in
Bore x Stroke : 84.0 x 90.0 mm
3.31 x 3.54 inches
Number of valves : 24 Valves
Aspiration : Turbo (TGV) + Intercooler
read more at: https://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/BMW/49027/...

[Mr Tidy]

Your car won't have an N47 engine as that is a 4 cylinder unit.

It has the 6 cylinder version of that engine family which is the N57.

And it doesn't have a cam-belt, it has a cam-chain.

Although the chain might have an issue, if yours had I wouldn't expect any strange noises to go away and it wouldn't stop it from starting intermittently, so I suspect what you describe is due to something else.

Do you have any warning lights on? And can you get anyone with any diagnostic kit to check the OBD for fault codes - that's usually the best place to start.

[naturalaspiration]

N57 debuted in an F10 whereas E60 only ever had an M57TU (cast iron cylinder block and crankcase) and from facelift an M57TU2 (aluminium cylinder block and crankcase). Extremely durable engines if maintained regularly.

You should take it to a trusted indie who knows his way round BMWs.

And yes "d" stands for diesel and "a" for auto(matic).

Edited by naturalaspiration on Monday 4th November 00:03

[aka_kerrly]

The sporadic starting and running is far more likely to be caused by a intermittent sensor issue, my money would be on crank or cam sensors.

[Touring442]

2006 is M57N.

[gizlaroc]

A gunked up EGR valve can cause these issues.

I would get it off, give it a good clean and see how you get on.

[BFleming]

As the OP's knowledge of cars - specifically the one they drive - seems limited, they'd be surely better off entrusting the work to a competent mechanic. The mention of N47 and timing belt in the title alone pushes me to that conclusion.

[gizlaroc]

Buy icarly, or whatever it is called.

Read your codes, it will save you a fortune in the long run.